Cardinal Pietro Parolin inaugurated this congress for children’s dignity in the digital world. It involves a world meeting of experts to find solutions to threats that stalk minors on the Internet.
CARD. PIETRO PAROLIN
Cardinal Secretary of State
“The Church wants to be on the front line in the battle against this problem. It wants to give responses that are meant to help victims and contribute to preventing these phenomenons, these abuses.”
In his conference, the cardinal asked for special attention to be paid to children from the “periphery,” geographic peripheries as much as those felt in society. It is these children who are most exposed to abuse networks that circulate on the Internet.
The congress is looking for solutions to serious problems for children and adolescents, which range from Internet bullying to the dissemination of harmful photos, or even child trafficking.
The numbers are shocking. In 2016, Interpol detected five new child victims of sexual abuse each day.
Experts will submit a proposition of solutions to combat the phenomenon to Pope Francis this Friday. They range from better Internet education for small children, to having Internet providers filter inappropriate content, or a greater control of potential abusers.
Note: The 'Child Dignity in the Digital World' congress is an initiative of the Pontifical Gregorian University.
